Nigeria, US create working groups on security, economy, corruption

Nigeria and the United States are keen on creating working groups aimed at bolstering security cooperation, the economy and tackling corruption.

This was highlighted during talks by the two states in Washington. The talks primarily focused on the West African country’s economy and security which is deterring the country’s growth.

Africa’s largest economy is facing its worst economic crisis in years pegged on the tumbling of global oil prices. The country’s economy only grew by a mere 2.8 percent in 2015, its slowest pace over a decade.

With this in hand, the President Muhammadu Buhari announced that his government is working to diversify its economy.

Furthermore, US Secretary of State John Kerry applauded Buhari’s commitment to the economy.

“So the United States, let me be clear, is very encouraged by President Buhari’s commitment to an economy that is more diversified, less dependent on a single commodity for export earnings, and that means we need to develop sustainability,” Kerry said.

Kerry also announced that the US development assistance will be 600 million US dollars.

The world’s biggest economy further offered Africa’s largest economy assistance to help fight Islamist militant group Boko Haram.

“It is an outrage that any group anywhere would brainwash young people, including little girls, to strap explosives to their bodies and walk into an open marketplace with the intent of murdering their own families, neighbours, and themselves,” said Kerry.

It was noted that under President Buhari, Nigeria has been taking the fight to Boko Haram and it has reduced Boko Haram’s capacity to launch full-scale attacks.

Secretary JohnKerry delivers opening remarks at the U.S.-#Nigeria Binational Commission. https://t.co/U4saGIYJrW

— Department of State (StateDept) March 30, 2016